Pipe and tube bender



Aprl 1 4, 11942.

T. w. DELANEY PIPE AND TUBE BENDjER Filed Nov. 19V, 1940 2 sheets-shea 1 v .Tf/20mm April 14, 1942.

T. w. DELANEYI PIPE AND' TUBE BENDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l9,` 1940 ttorneg Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNlTED STATES 2,279,389l PIPE AND TUBE BENDER Thomas W. Delaney, St. Paul, Minn. Application November 19, 1340, Serial No. 366,293

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a pipe bending machine.

An object of the invention is a provision of the machine for bending pipes through various arcs in which the bending element is followed by a pipe supporting element in a curved path which defines the curve of the completed bend of the pipe.

Another object of the invention is a provision of the machine for bending pipes through various arcs in which one end of the pipe is secured in position on a table, the remaining portion of the pipe projecting freely beyond the secured end of the pipe, a frame pivotally mounted in straddling relation with the projecting end of the pipe and carrying a movable bending jaw or block which when operated exerting pressure on the pipe to cause bending of same, a supporting block spaced from the bending block and movable along an arc of a circle with the bending block for supporting the pipe at various stages during the bending operation, the length of the arc through which the pipe is bent being predetermined.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pipe bending machine so constructed that a pipe may be bent along shorter or longer lengths with the arcs of curvature having different radii, a pipe being bent in stages and supported at each stage at points where the preceding bend has been made.

This invention will be best understood from a` consideration of the following detailed description, in view of the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specication, nevertheless,

it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes and modiiications as denne no material departure from the salient features of the invention in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of my bending machine in operative position,

Figure'2 isa front end View of the same,

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the bending machine,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken along the line 5--5 of Figure l,

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 3 6 #is of Figure l,

Figure '7 is a view in perspective of a pipe supporting block in detached relation,

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of a pair of blocks for clamping the pipe rigidly in position.

Figure 9 is 'a fragmentary view in perspective with parts broken away showing the trunnions for supporting the bending block.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, IIJ designates a pair of standards formed of angle iron construction which supports one end of the table II. A second'pair of standards I2 support the opposite end of the table. Each pair of standards is connected together by means of a base member I3 which is secured to the floor of a building. l

Spaced legs I4 are secured at their upper ends tothe front end of table II and depend therefrom. These legs are provided with perforations which aline with perforations in the standards I0 and bolts I5 and I6 are passed through the alined perforations and secured in place byr means oi the usual nuts. A pair of legs II depend from the opposite end of table I I and these legs are removably connected to the spaced standards I2 by means of bolts I8 and I9. The legs I4 and I1 are of angle iron construction. A clamping device generally designated by the numeral 20 and shown vmore particularlyin Fig. 8 is removably mounted on the table Il. This clamping device consists of a lower block 2| having a semi-circular groove 22 to receive the pipe and an upper block 23 having a complementary semi-circular groove 24 also to receive the pipe. The pair of bolts 25 have their lower ends as shown at 26 pivotally connected to the table II and are adapted to be received in grooves 21 and 28 respectively formed in the sides of the blocks 2| and 23. Nuts 28 and 29 of ,any suitable type are screwed on to the upper ends of the bolts for foroing'the clamping block 23 tight against one end of a pipe 33. The opposite end of the pipe projects forwardly of the table II. A tympan frame generally designated by the numeral 3| consists of a pair of legs 32 which are connected together at their lower ends by a bar 33 and at their upper ends by a bar 34. It will be noted from Figs. 1 and 3 that the legs '32 are provided with a plurality of spaced perforations 35 which are located in the upper portions of the legs and a plurality of spaced perforations 36 which are formed in the lower half of the legs; The perforations 35 in the upper portions of the legs are adapted to receive a pivot pin or bolt 31. This bolt is of sui'licient length to pass through perforations 38 formed in the spaced legs I4 vfor swingably supporting said frame.

A forming block 40 shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 7 is secured by means of b'olts 4I to the top bar 34 of the frame 3|. It is noted that by a bar 62.

this block is provided with a semi-circular groove 42 which receives a projecting end 43 of the pipe 30. It is to be noted from Fig. 1 that the-bottom of the groove 42 is curved longitudinally in order to take care of the curvature of the bend inthe projecting end 43 of the pipe at its under-face.

The pair of spring fingers 44 are secured to the upper face of the block at each side of the groove 42 by the bolts 4|. These spring fingers project beyond the Iouter face of the block 40 and are provided with bent portions 45 forming lugs for a purpose which will be presently explained.

The opposite ends of the fingers are also bent upwardly as shown at 46 and 41 and a latch member 48 is curved along the arc' of the circle which corresponds to the curvaturejof the pipe which is being bent. One end of the latch member is perforated as is the bent-up portion or ear 41 to receive a pivot pin 49. Thus it will be seen that the latch member may be swung upwardly and away from the groove 42 when .a pipe is being inserted or being removed from the block 40.

The other end of the latchmember isperforatecl as is the ear 46 to receive a pin'or other fastening means 50 for retaining the free end ofthe latch member in place. y

A spring 5| secured at 52 to the under-face of the'table projects forwardly of the ltable and 54 mounted transversely of the table and rigidly carried by spaced hangers'55 depending from the table I The other endY of the spring as shown at 56 is secured to a pin on one of the legs 32 of the frame 3|. This spring tends to pullV the frame 3| towards the left in Figs. 1 and 3 and thus will tend to maintain the frame in its upright position.

A 'second frame generally designated bythe numeral 60, consists of a pair of spaced legs 9| which are connected together at their lower ends These legs are provided with a plurality of perforations 63 in the upper part adapted to'receive the vbolt 31. A plurality of perforations 64 is formed at the lower portions of the legs 6| which may also receive the bolt 31 for swingably supporting the frame.

A spring 6.5 Vhas one end secured tothe bar 56 which is rigidly supported by spaced hangers 61 depending from the table I. The other end of the spring is connected `to `a pin-68 carried by one `of the legs 6| of the frame 60. Since the spring is in tension it will tend to` maintain the A pair of disks'15 are located in spaced relation and each disk `is providedwith a passage 16v which is eccentric to the pin ,1| to receive the eccentric portion 14 of the sleeve 09. This sleeve is provided with a 'pair 'of spaced collars 11. One face of each collar abuts the inner face of the adjacent disk 15 with 'the collars being housed by va split ring 18 which 'is secured at 19 to the In other words, this spring adjacent disk for rigidly securing the disks to the sleeve.

Each disk is provided with a projection which extends downwardly and in close association with a respective leg 6| of the frame 60. Each projection is provided with journals 80a at the lower ends thereof.

`A bending block 8| is pivotally mounted at the inner free ends of the projections 80 by means of Isen'ii--circular trunnions 82 which are received within the journals 80a in the lower free ends of the extensions. It will be noted from Figs. 1 and 3 that the outer face of the bending block 8| is in engagement with the lugs 45 on the spring iingers 44. The block 8| is provided with a longitudinal groove 83 to receive the projecting end 43 of the pipe which is being bent. The lower edges of the bending block are in flat contact with the spring lingers 44.

An operating lever generally designated by the numeral k85 consists of a pair of spaced bars 86. The inner ends of the bars 86 are provided with openings to receive the eccentric portion 13 of the sleeve 69.

The spaced bars 86 of the lever 85 are provided with slots'81 to receive an elongated key 88, which is adapted to be received by notches 89 or-90 in each of thedisks 15. When the power lever 85 isoperated by hand, the key 88 is located in the notches 89 of the disks. While, when the lever is operated by a motor 9| the key is placed in the notches 90 of the disks 15, as will be presently explained.

In order to maintain the key 88'in engagement with the notches, a yoke 92 is forced against a reduced central portion 93 of the key by av crank shaft 94 operated by a crank 95.

WhenV the power lever 85 is operated by the motor 9|, a bolt or pin 96 is inserted through passages 91 in the bars 86, and also through bearings 98 on the upper ends of the rods 99. After the key 88 has been released from the position shown in Fig. 1 in full lines and the lever 85 has been moved to the dotted line position,

and after the lever has reached the dotted line position the key 88 is then forced into position by the operation of the crank and retained in the slot 89.

The rods 99 are connected to eccentric pins |00 on wheels |00a which are driven by a shaft IUI, and this shaft is driven by a worm wheel |0|a. A worm |02 which is connected to a motor shaft |03 of the motor 9| drives the worm wheel or removed from the clamping elements 2| and |0|a. The motor 9| is connected by a bracket 9|ato the frame 60.

The swinging movement of the frames 3| and 60 in this device determines the angle of the bend of the pipe 30. The device consists of a radial arm |05 which has a notched portion |05 receiving the pivot pin 31. Extending downwardly from the outer end of the arm |05 is a curved member |01 having` a bushing |08 at its free end which receives pins. |09. These pins project into one of the passages 36 in the bars 32 of theswingable frame 3| and these bars are maintained in position by a U-shaped spring ||0 as shown more particularly in Fig. 6. The ends of the U-shaped vspring are received within passages ||2 of the pins |09 and through openings I3 in the bushing |08. Thus it will be seen that when the legs of the spring |0 are forced towards each other the outer ends of the pins |09 will be moved away from the openings 3.9 in the bars 32 whereby the lower end of the member |01 will be released fromthe lower end of the frame 3|.

The outer face of the curved member |01 is provided with graduations in the form of degrees. A slidable stop ||4 of suicient length to span the vertical members I4 has a slot to receive the curved member |01. A set screw ||5 is threaded into the member ||4 and the inner end engages the curved arm or bar |||1 securing the member ||4 in position at some particular degree. The purpose of the member |I4 is to determine in advance the angle of the bend in the pipe so that if the member ||4 were set at 90 degrees on the curved arm |01'and the pipe end 43 is gradually bent as the frame 60 is moved through 90 degrees, the stop ||4 would come to rest against the legs I4 and, therefore, further bending of the pipe would be prevented. Ifl it is desired to bend the pipe at some other angle, the stop ||4 is shifted along the curved arm |01 until the desired degree is reached as indicated on the arm. The stop is then fastened in position. The swinging movement of the frame 60 would be limited in movement to the number of degrees indicated on the curved arm |81.

The operation of my device is as follows: A"

pair of clamping blocks 2| and 23 are selected which will perfectly iit the pipe which is to be bent. At the same time, suitable blocks 48 and 8| are selected. When the block 40 is being se cured to the upper end of the frame 3| said frame is maintained in position shown yin Figs. 1 and 3 by the spring 53 While the upper end of the frame is supported by the spring member 5|. After the blocks have been properly positioned pipe 3D is placed between the clamping blocks 2| and 23 whence the nuts 29 are screwed into place for clamping the pipe rigidly between the said blocks.

When the device is operated by hand the power lever 85 is in position shown in Fig. 1 in full lines. However, the lever must be raised in order to raise the block 8| suciently above the end of the pipe to be bent. The key 88 at this time isv in the position shown in full line Fig. 3. The power lever is then pulled downwardly whence the bending block 8| will be forced against the pipe While the lower portion of the pipe is supported by the block 49.

After the rst increment of the bend has been made, the lever 85 is again raised and pulled outwardly to the right in Fig. 1 so that the block 8| will be in a position to engage a section of the pipe which is outwardly of the initial position. When the frame 68 is moved upon its pivot i 31 and outwardly, the frame 3| is likewise moved in the same direction because the block 8| is in engagement with the lugs 45 on the springs 44. After the frames have been positioned the lever 85 is then pulled downwardly to create a further bend.

The operations just described are repeated a number of times until the stop H4 engages the legs I4 of the table. The clamping elements are released and the pipe will then be removed.

Where itis desired to createa bend in the pipe along an arc of a different radius, the frames 3| and 58 are rotated so that the forming block 4G and bending block 8| are adjacent the clamping blocks 2| and 23. The pin 31 is then removed and inserted `through perforations 3B, $5 and 64 of the frames I4, 3| and 5D respectively` which are spaced the desired radius from thelongitudinal axis of the pipe.

When desired or when necessary the table. II

may be tilted from its horizontal position to any angle between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In order to tilt the table, the bolts I5 are' removed and one of the bolts I6 is removed. The table is then tilted until the desired angle of thetable has been obtained. The bolts I5 are then replaced after perforations in the legs I4 have become alined with certain perforations in the standards I0. During the tilting of the table beyond a'predetermined degree it will be necessary to remove the stop device including the arms and |81. 'Ihe stop then may be replaced after the legs I4 of the table have suinciently cleared the upper end of one of the standards I G.

When the power lever 85 is operated manually the pin 98 (Fig. 5) will be removed and the reciprocating rods 99 will have been moved to one side. When, however, the device is operated by the motor 9| the power lever 85 is then moved to the full line position shown in Fig. 3 with the` key 88 locking the lever in operative relation with the disks 15. The pin or bolt 96 is then passed through the perforations 91 in the bars 86 of the lever 85 and also through the beanings 98 of the rods S9.

When the motor SI is operating, the reciprocating rods 99 operate the lever B5. After the initial bending has been made by the'inward movement of the rods 99 and the lever 85 through the operation of the motor 9|, the frames 3| and 6|? are rocked away from the table IIY upon the return stroke of the rods and lever. This angular advance of the frames 3| and 88 is repeated at each return stroke of the rods and ata time when the bending block 8| is released from' the pipe. When the stop ||4 engages the legs I4 of the table, the bend will have been completed and the motor is stopped and the pipe is then removed.

The yoke or latch 48 is always closed alter the pipe has been positioned and before thebending operation is started.

When the projecting pipe as it is bent strikes the floor of the building in which thebending machine is located and interferes with further bending, all the bolts I5 and IS are removed (Fig. 2) and the taole is then tilted at an angle to the horizontal with one of the bolts I acting as a pivot. The bolts are then replaced in the perforations in the legs I4 where the perforations aline with certain other perforations in the standards I.

Since the table may be moved Ithrough 'an angle of degrees, it is possible to produce a number of bends in diiierent plans in the same pipe.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 9 it will be seen that the block 8| may be readily removed from the lower ends of the arms 88 since theV trunnions 82 are substantially semi-circular as are'the bearings 85a in the lower ends of said arms. When it is desired to remove the bending block 3| the same is turned to an angle of 90 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 9 whence the flat side 82a of the trunnions 82 will bevertically disposed and since the Width of the trunnions between the flat side and the opposite curved side of the trunnions is less than the width of the opening 83a at the bottom offeach end of the arms 8D the trunnions will pass readily through the' opening. When the block is inserted in position said block is again located in the same'position that it was in when it was removed'so that the fiat sides 82a of the trunnions will permit the'insertion of the opening 83a.

I claim:

1. A pipe bender comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table, a sleeve the trunnions through rotatably mounted at one end of the frame, a-

supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block,`and means for maintaining the forming block in operative relation with the bending block during bending of the work.

2. A pipe bender comprising spaced standards, a horizontally disposed table, a plurality of means connecting the table to the standards, said means being removable and Y adapted to be placed in various connecting positions between the table and standards for supporting the table in diierent angular positions relative to the standards, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe to the table, a frame pivoted on the table, a bending block in the frame, means on the frame for forcing the block against the pipe to cause bending of said pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe inwardly of the bending block when the pipe is being bent, means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along the desired arc, and means removably connecting the bending block with the forming block for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe.

3. A pipe bender comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table, a bending block in the frame, means on the frame for forcing the block against the pipe to cause bending of said pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe inwardly of the bending block when the pipe is beingrbent, said frame being swingable on its pivot vso `that the pipe may be progressively bent along the desired arc, means for predetermining the limits of the swinging movement of the frame in accordance with the angular bend to be made in the pipe, means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block and means removably connecting the bending block with the forming block for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe.

4. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a bending block` in the frame, means swingably mounting the block in the upper end of the frame, an eccentric mounting for the swingable means, a lever for operating the swingable means for causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being 'swingableon its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predeterminedarc, means supporting the forming block and arranged for Amovement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block and means connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movement along the bend arc of the pipe.

5. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivotedon the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a bending block in the frame, means swingably mounting the block in the upper end of the frame, an eccentric mountingV for the swingable means, a lever for operating the swingable means for causing the block `to press upon the free end of the pipe, removable means connecting the swingable means with the lever, `a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc, means supporting the forming block and arranged-for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, means' connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe.

6. A pipe bendingr machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a pin mounted in the upper end of the frame and provided with eccentrics, an larm secured to each eccentric and depending therefrom, the upper ends of the arms each being provided with a notch, a lever pivotally mounted at one end of the pin, a key ,carried by the lever and received by the notch for removably connecting the lever to the arms, a bending block carried, by the lower ends of the arms, operation of the lever causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted'to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its'pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc, means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block and means connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe.

7. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a bending block in the frame, means swingably mounting the block in the upper end of the frame, an eccentric mounting for the swingable means, a lever for operating the swingable means for causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted tosupport the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc, means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, means connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe, and reciprocating means connectedy with the lever and means for actuating the reciprocating means. y

8. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end oi a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a bending block in the frame, means swingably mounting theblock in the upper end of the frame, an eccentric mounting for the swingablemeans, a lever for operating the swingable means for causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc,

means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, means connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movel ment along the bending arc of the pipe, reciprocating means connected with the lever and means carried by the frame for actuating the reciproeating means. p

9. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a pin mounted in the upper end of the frame and provided with eccentrics, an arm secured to each eccentric and depending therefrom, the upper ends of the arms each being provided with a notch, a lever pivotally mounted at one end of the pin, a key carried by the lever and received by the notchv for removably connecting the lever to the arms, a bending block carried by the lower ends of the arms, operation of the lever causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc, means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, means connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe, and means pivotally mounting the bending block on the arms.

10. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a bending block in the frame, means swingably mounting the block in the upper end of the frame, an eccentric mounting for the swingable means, a lever for operating the swingable means for causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc, means supporting they forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, spring fingers projecting from the forming block and provided with lugs at the free ends thereof, the bending block when seated on the pipe engaging the fingers and lugs so that when the frame is rocked to a new bending position the forming block Will be moved simultaneously.

l1. A pipe bending machine comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table and straddling the pipe to be bent, a bending block in the frame, means swingably mounting the block in the upper end of the frame, an eccentric mounting for the swingable means, a

lever for operating the swingable means for causing the block to press upon the free end of the pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe adjacent the bending block, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along a predetermined arc, means supporting the forming block and arranged for movement in a path corresponding to the path of the bending block, means connecting the blocks together for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe, and a latch on the forming block and engageable over the pipe for connecting the block to the pipe.

12. A pipe bender comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table, a bending block in the frame, means pivotally mounting the block on the frame, means actuating the pivoted means for forcing the block against the pipe to cause bending of said pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe inwardly of, the bending block when the pipe is being bent, said framebeing swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along the desired arc, a swingable means having a common pivot with the frame and carrying the forming block, springs tending toretain theframe and swingable means in a substantially vertical position, and means removably connecting the bending block with the forming block for simultaneous movement of the blocks along the bending arc of the pipe.

13. A pipe bender comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end. of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table, a bending block in the frame, means on the frame for forcing the block against the pipe to cause bending of said pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe inwardly of the bending block when the pipe is being bent, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressivly bent along the desired arc, a second frame having a common pivot with the first frame and carrying the forming block, springs tending to retain the frames in a substantially vertical position, and means removably connecting the bending block with the forming block forsimultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe.

14. A pipe bender comprising a table, clamping means on the table for securing one end of a pipe in position, a frame pivoted on the table, a bending block in the frame, means on the frame for forcing the block against the pipe to cause bending of said pipe, a movable forming block adapted to support the pipe inwardly of the bending block when the pipe is being bent, said frame being swingable on its pivot so that the pipe may be progressively bent along the desired arc, a second frame having a common pivot with the rst frame and carrying the forming block, springs tending to retain the frames in a substantially vertical position, and means removably connecting the bending block with the forming block for simultaneous movement along the bending arc of the pipe, a resilient means projecting from the table and through the second frame for supporting the upper end of the frame when the forming block is being secured to said frame.

THOMAS W. DELANEZ'v 

